News

Transport Minister should veto proposed hike in toll charges  There is no justification for the scale of toll increases due to come into effect within weeks, according to Catherine Murphy TD, co-leader of the Social Democrats. “With private motorists and haulage companies already struggling with increased fuel costs, the reported rise in tolls from January […]

Failure to ease plight of 12-year-old Wicklow girl is inhumane Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has again called on the Minister for Health to immediately intervene in the case of a child in desperate need of scoliosis surgery. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, has now raised the plight of 12-year-old Miley […]

New planning application is deeply insensitive to survivors and deceased children  Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has expressed her opposition to the latest planning application for the former Bessborough mother and baby home estate in Cork city. “I am completely opposed to plans for over 90 apartments by MWB Two Ltd on the Bessborough lands. […]

Financial supports should only be seen as a short-term solution to energy crisis Significant investment in solar power would help Ireland meet its climate action targets and improve our medium to long-term energy security, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There are […]

Schools should be an inclusive, safe space for our students, yet the opposite is the case for many LGBTQ+ youth The Government must be more proactive in tackling the rise of transphobia and homophobia in our schools, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon told the Dáil today. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, made […]

What mattered most to Vicky was not rhetoric but action The nation is united in mourning the sad passing of Vicky Phelan, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The entire nation is united in mourning after the very sad passing of Vicky Phelan. “Vicky was instrumental in uncovering the CervicalCheck scandal. Her refusal to […]

I hope this important decision will prompt some reflection on the government benches The Supreme Court decision that ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)) between the EU and Canada is unconstitutional is an indictment of the government’s attempt to ram the deal through the Dáil, according to Social Democrats Environment Spokesperson Jennifer […]

SIPO is currently more lapdog than watchdog The decision of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) not to investigate the Tánaiste’s leaking of a draft contract to a friend in 2019 is further evidence that the watchdog needs more teeth, according to Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. “The Tánaiste has maintained that he leaked […]

Taoiseach’s Taskforce needed to drive positive change in the capital Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has welcomed confirmation that statements on Dublin will be heard in the Dáil for the first time next Thursday (November 17), when he will renew his call for the establishment of a Taoiseach’s Taskforce on O’Connell Street. Deputy Gannon, who […]

Vital service to end next month due to lack of HSE funding  The imminent closure of the Mater Hospital’s Long Covid Clinic represents a new low in the Government’s pandemic response, according to the Social Democrats’ co-leader and Health spokesperson, Róisín Shortall. “This morning, the Mater’s Long Covid Clinic was instructed to wind down its […]

Government should be supporting women, not restricting their reproductive and healthcare choices An effective ban on homebirths in rural communities will compromise women’s health and put additional pressure on existing services in maternity hospitals, according to Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns again raised the issue in the Dáil today, amid growing public concern […]

UN climate conference must deliver measurable results on global warming  The Government must insist that COP27 is more than just a talking shop and use Ireland’s influence to achieve climate justice for developing countries, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Given the […]

Callous treatment of Twitter staff does not bode well for future direction of company under new ownership Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD has called on the Government to ensure that Twitter will fully comply with all provisions of Irish employment law after staff learned of significant job losses at its Dublin office today. Deputy […]

Minister’s figures lay bare the scale of injustice involved in flawed redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns has renewed her call on the Government to amend its proposed redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes after it emerged that 24,000 former residents will not be […]